Kamarajar

Full Name: Kumaraswami Kamarajar

Real Name: Kamatchi

Nick Name: King Maker, Karupu Gandhi, Karma Veerar, Perunthalaivar

Date of Birth: 15 July 1903 in Viruthunagar, Tamilnadu

Parents: Kumaraswami – Sivakami Ammal

Died: 2 October 1975 in present day Chennai, Tamilnadu

Resting Place: Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Ninaivagam

Awards:

Bharat Ratna-1976

Copper Bond-1972

Important points:

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was the decisive turning point, Kamarajar decided to fight for the freedom

Kamarajar met Gandhi for the first time in 21 September 1921, Madurai

Kamarajar was the founder and president of Indian National Congress (Organisation)

Kamarajar actively participated in Non-Cooperation movement, Nagpur flag Satyagraha, Sword Satyagraha in Madras, Neil statue Satyagraha, Simon commission boycott, Salt Satyagraha

When he became the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, no village remained without a primary school and no Panchayat without a high school

Kamarajar’s contributions:

Kamarajar and Bishnuram Medhi (Governor) took efforts to establish IIT Madras in 1959

Kamarajar removed the family vocation based ‘Hereditary Education Policy’ introduced by Rajaji

Kamarajar introduced free and compulsory education upto eleventh standard

Number of working days in schools has been increased from 180 to 200

Introduced Mid-day meal schemes and free school uniforms to weed out Caste and creeds

Kamarajar built irrigation canals across Bhavani, Mani Muthar, Vaigai, Amaravathi, Sathanur, Krishnagiri, Pullambadi, Parambikulam

Kamarajar started many industries during his period,

Neyveli Lignite corporation

BHEL in Trichy

Hindustan raw photo film factory at Ooty

Manali refinery

Surgical instruments factory at Chennai

Railway Coach factory at Chennai